Share: 

Sussex County students learn about government

Optimist Club sponsors trip to county seat
October 10, 2018

High school students were urged to volunteer with political parties and causes to jump-start their careers during a meeting with county leaders Oct. 30.

County Councilman I.G. Burton told students Sussex County’s aging population gives them a greater opportunity to get involved with local government.

“Get involved early,” he said. “At my age, I’m not able to have an extended career. If you get in early, you can make a bigger impact.”

Sponsored for the second time by the Optimist Club of Sussex County, the event brought students interested in political science and the law to Georgetown to meet with Burton, County Administrator Todd Lawson, county attorney Everett Moore and retired Delaware State Police Officer and County Council candidate Doug Hudson.

“This day allows students to witness their local government in action and gives them the opportunity to find out about their jobs,” said Optimist Club Vice President Adele Jones.

Burton told students as a member of council, “You have to look at and balance the budget, and you need to build consensus,” noting it takes at least three votes to get anything passed.

Moore told students a trip to Peru as a college student opened his eyes and cemented his career goals.

“I saw abject poverty and wanted to use my education for good,” he said.

Lawson said a college internship with Delaware’s then-U.S. Rep. Bill Roth gave him the D.C. bug. Following graduation, he said, he went to 21 interviews before landing a job with an Ohio congressman.

“The area he represented was a lot like Sussex County,” Lawson said. “It jump-started my career.”

During his 13 years in D.C., Lawson attended law school and worked for George W. Bush’s administration before he and his wife decided to return to Sussex County and raise a family.

“I love my job,” he said. “It’s rewarding to know you’re helping people who make up your own community. You can affect change immediately.”

Students from Cape, Seaford, Laurel, Indian River, Sussex Tech, Sussex Academy and Milford also met with incoming Superior Court Judge Craig Karsnitz, attended County Council’s meeting and toured the county administration center.

After a lunch at the Brick Hotel, students spent the afternoon watching trials in the Court of Common Pleas. County Council awarded the Optimist Club a grant of $2,100 to help with costs of its essay and oratorical contest.

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter